Kimberley Honeyeater
Meliphaga fordiana
Medium-sized honeyeater found in sandstone escarpment and gorge country of the western Kimberley region. Upperparts uniformly gray-green, underparts pale with diffuse gray streaks on chest. Dark cheeks split by thin pale gape mark that extends upward under the blue eye. Calls include loud short whistled phrases.
Identification
The Kimberley honeyeater is similar in appearance to the white-lined honeyeater, having dark grey upperparts, light grey underparts, grey eyes, with dark grey below the eyes and a black beak. It is distinguished from the white-lined honeyeater by the lack of citrine edging on the upper surface of the remiges and rectrices, pale creamy-buff under-wing coverts, and a milky-white belly.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Meliphaga fordiana
- Authority
- (Schodde, 1989)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Meliphaga
Range and habitat
The Kimberley honeyeater is endemic to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, living in rainforests, eucalypt woodlands and paperbark forests.<p>It is present in the Charnley River–Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Kimberley region.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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